The sub-regional WILDAF office has just concluded a finance contract with the European Commission for a project on ‘‘good governance and women’s participation’’. Commenced in early January 2006, this project will last three years and 7 West African countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo will benefit from it. Its overall objective is to contribute to an effective participation of women in governance at local and national levels. Specifically, the project aims at building capacities of women in urban and rural areas to influence decisions, policies and programmes implemented by the authorities for a better consideration of the basic human rights of women and gender equity.